Quiet Morning After Chaos at the Bellevue Botanical Garden

The twinkling lights of Christmas had overloaded our senses last December. Crowds took over the pathways and the lines at the restroom were way too long.

This was my one and only experience with the Bellevue Botanical Garden.

It was time for another visit.

My friend Nic and I brought our kids over to the garden on a weekday to see what the garden looked like in bloom, without the masses and blinding LED lights. I figured we would be able to kill a half hour, maybe an hour tops at the garden then grab a bite to eat.

Boy was I wrong. I had not idea that the garden was at least triple the size of what I saw over the holidays.

Better yet, a new suspension bridge had been put in.

I soon found out that I do not like suspension bridges, but the kids sure had fun. I imagined falling to my death while they bounced their way across.

I’m so glad I gave this garden a second look. It filled up a beautiful morning and better yet, it was free. Pretty flowers and no money going out of my pocket will always get thumbs up from me on any outing.

Parking is available at the garden. Overflow at the park down the street.

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Keryn is the founder of Walking on Travels, a site that gives hope to today’s active parents who don’t want to stop their lives; they simply bring their kids along for the ride. You can find Keryn dragging her 2 boys around the DC area most days and across the globe several times a year. Follow along on their adventures on Google+, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Nice job on the Gardens. Makes me guilty that I haven’t been there since the new bridge opened; in fact I haven’t been there for a couple of years and its only a couple of miles away! Beautiful flower photos.

Christmas lights can never overwhelm me–the more I am surrounded by them, the more energized I feel. Long lines and consumerism, on the other hand, are dreadful to me. But I’m not going to ramble about that on here

This aside, the Bellevue botanical garden looks gorgeous. I think it is a place I would visit often if I lived in Washington state. I know I would get a lot of inspiration and creative ideas by sitting there for a few hours with pen in hand

Jade- I always WANTED to explore with my kids more but I was working 40-60 hour weeks when Dek was first born. I started the blog out of my own frustrations. We had started traveling with him and I really wanted to do more. Once I quit my job I already had a list of things for us to explore around the city that I had never been able to see because I was working so much. I’m definitely having just as much fun as he is most of the time

Love that shot of your daughter in front of the door. It’s beautiful!! And I think I would have enjoyed the bridge. There was similar one in the Botanical Garden in Atlanta and the view from up there was really neat.

I’m a huge fan of botanical gardens – just got the fall brochure for Longwood and they have a really cool illuminated art installation through the end of September. I think an evening visit is in order.

Mara- Jealous! I’m trying to convince MIke’s family to meet me at Longwood just after the holiday lights go up since I will be in town. I haven’t seen them in years. Definitely post pics of the installation if you get to go!

Visiting a place at a different time of year really can make a difference. I know what you mean about suspension bridges — can be a little scary. The gardens look lovely — really worth the second trip.